Peterborough charity fears homeless funding 'falling through the cracks'
Latest data shows a rise in rough sleepers in the city
A charity in Peterborough fears Government funding to help services tackle rough sleeping may be "falling through the cracks".
Official figures show 93 people were sleeping rough in the county last year, compared to 62 in 2024.
It comes as the Government has promised to give councils and organisations £50 million to help tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
"There are opportunities for us but the challenges; there's more money in the system, but unless we're all working together, some of that money can fall between the cracks," Steven Pettican, chief executive officer at Light Project Peterborough, said.
Peterborough sees biggest rise in rough sleepers
Government data showed Peterborough had the steepest rise in within a 12-month period.
- Cambridge: 2024 - 26 / 2025 - 26
- East Cambridgeshire: 2024 - 3 / 2025 - 4
- Fenland: 2024 - 7 / 2025 / 7
- Huntingdonshire: 2024 - 9 / 2025 - 15
- Peterborough: 2024 - 16 / 2025 - 30
- South Cambridgeshire: 2024 - 1 / 2025 - 11
The figures were recorded through the Government's rough sleeping snapshot.
It says most local authorities use an evidence-based estimate, an assessment by local agencies leading to a single snapshot figure that represents the number of people thought to be sleeping rough within that area on a ‘typical night’.
This 'night' is a single date chosen by the local authority between October 1 and November 30.
Nationally, there were 4,793 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn last year.
One new person seeking help a day
At least one new person comes to Light Project Peterborough for help every day, according to the charity.
Mr Pettican said some of those include people sleeping on the streets, or in "a bus shelter.
"I think the general thing we see is that people seem to be more downcast, struggling with their mental health."
Mr Pettican cited other reasons for people seeking help, like relationship breakdowns and the cost of living.
The charity has linked up with Peterborough City Hospital to try and offer accommodation to those who are discharged and need it most.
Last November, Light Project Peterborough said 239 new people have visited the Garden House for help since April 2025, and are expecting more than one new person a day to do the same.
"We work seven days a week and often our staff and volunteers are helping out on a Sunday afternoon," Mr Pettican added.
"That's a unique selling point that could do with greater recognition in terms of investment."
The Government has said the latest announcements are part of its wider 'National Plan to End Homelessness'.
The plan makes a series of pledges, including to halve the number of long-term rough sleepers by the end of this Parliament.